KTP

Knowledge Transfer
Program

CPGR
Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research
9/18/2013

What is KTP?
KTP is a match-making platform that brings together seekers of expertise with providers of knowledge who are
willing to transfer it in a project-based fashion.

What problem does KTP tackle?

In Africa a shortage of practical skills and relevant expertise is often the primary obstacle to social upliftment
and sustainable development. This is particularly problematic in countries that aim to transition from resource-
based to knowledge-fuelled economic growth.
The modern life sciences and biotechnology are pillars of socio-economic development in developed nations
and seen as catalysts of economic growth in Africa following the examples set by China, India and Brazil. To
prosper, these fields are increasingly dependent on the effective interpretation of large and complex sets of
data.

The corresponding knowledge rests with experts versed in the use of sophisticated computational
tools and advanced statistical methods. In Africa, the relevant skills are not readily available which
can delay or entirely compromise biomedical and biotechnology research and development. As a
consequence African scientists are forced to import the relevant international expertise to stay on
par in the race towards scientific progress, biomedical innovation and sustainable health care.

KTP helps seekers of knowledge overcome the following challenges

1.
2.
3.

Identifying an individual with the relevant expertise who is willing and able to make it available.
Sourcing/securing funds in resource-limited areas to cover training costs, including travel and
accommodation costs for experts and/or trainees.
Sustaining the transfer of knowledge for local long-term retention.

KTP solves these challenges in the following manner

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

KTP provides access to seeker and expert information in a searchable database format , thereby
reducing time and effort spent on matching expertise with project needs.
Rather than sending individuals overseas for training, KTP brings together experts willing to relocate
for a limited-time period and share knowledge pro bono.
KTP assists in mobilising funding for individual projects.
KTP solidifies knowledge transfer through on-the-project training and skills development.
KTP amplifies the acquired knowledge by also assisting local trainer developments.

There are 6 key stakeholders involved in KTP

Stake Holder

Description

Knowledge
seeker

Principal Investigator (PI) at a University or Head of Research in a private/public organisation with a

need for kills development in a particular project.

Trainee

Researcher, student or employee in need of training in a project. A subset of trainees will form a local
contingent of African trainers.
Researcher, professional or field application specialist with proven expertise in a relevant area of
Computational Biology/Bioinformatics and/or Bio-Statistics.
Selected group of researchers and professionals with relevant expertise assembled to safeguard the
quality of the expert/seeker/trainee matchmaking process

Expert
Advisory
Committee

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Sponsors

Public, philanthropic or commercial organisation willing to support KTP in kind or in cash.

How do key stakeholders benefit from KTP?

Stake Holder

Benefits

Knowledge
seeker

Convenient access to available expertise in KTP database

Training of project staff to achieve project goals and deliverables
Improved quality of outputs and turnaround of project
Opportunity for future collaboration with experts
Access to relevant expertise without the need for relocation
Deep learning experience due to direct interaction with expert over a 3-6 month period
Practical application of acquired knowledge in a project context
Long-term relationship with expert in a mentoring role
Opportunity to participate in all trainings organised by KTP
International experience and exposure to Africa-specific challenges
Opportunity to share and transfer knowledge
Access to unique problems, ideas or data
Opportunity to publish or patent
Network with fellow experts and expert seekers and build foundation for future collaborations

Opportunity to collaborate with knowledge seekers and experts

Contribution towards social and scientific development in Africa
Contribution to training, research and development in Africa
Effective spending of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) budgets
Marketing & brand development opportunity

Trainee

Expert

Advisory
committee
Sponsors

What impact can KTP make?

Impact is generated in 4 stages of the KTP process:
1.

2.

3.

4.

Stage 1: KTP reduces the time it takes to find the

expertise required in a project by way of providing
seekers access to a wide range of experts in a structured
database. Quality of the matchmaking process is guided
by an advisory committee who ensure that the best
possible experts are linked to relevant projects.
Stage 2: Over a period of 3-6 months, a small number of
individuals (typically 3) are being trained and mentored
by a dedicated expert. During this time, these individuals
can apply, test and modify the acquired knowledge,
thereby deepening the learning experience. Practical
skills are acquired through iterative training/doing
cycles.
Stage 3: At the end of a KTP project, the expert and trainees make their knowledge available to a
larger group of individuals. This is to stimulate further knowledge base development locally and to
gauge additional training needs in a systemic fashion, possibly leading to the generation of a new KTP
project.
Stage 4: Individual KTP trainees are encouraged to become local experts. Initially playing the role of
junior experts, they can develop into senior experts by utilising the acquired knowledge practically
and in training recipients locally. Eventually, the KTP database will predominantly comprise of African
experts.

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KTP networking
KTP has relations with the following organisations to support outreach and to enhance impact:
Organisation

Description

Link

EMBNET (European Molecular

Biology Network)
GOBLET (Global Organization for
Bioinformatics Learning,
Education and Training)

Network aimed at enhancing capacity in Bioinformatics

worldwide

http://www.embnet.org/

Initiative aimed at coordinating world-wide bioinformatics

training activities

http://www.mygoblet.org/

NIH (National Institutes of Health) initiative to create capacity

in Bioinformatics across Africa

http://www.h3abionet.org/

H3ABioNet

How is KTP funded?

Funding for individual KTPs will be secured through one of the following means:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Cost of individual KTP covered by individual knowledge seeker

Sponsorship by private, public or philanthropic organisations
Voluntary participation by experts
Dedicated grant application

How to access KTP

Office Tel:

+27 (0) 21 447 5669

Email:

ktp@cpgr.org.za

WWW:

www.cpgr.org.za

Blog

www.cpgr.org.za/blogspot/

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